Ovechkin tops NHL All-Stars, earning 6th selection

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Ovechkin is an NHL first-team All-Star for the sixth time, but his first as a right wing.

The Washington Capitals star is the second player to make the team at multiple positions, joining Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier, a four-time selection — twice at left wing and twice at center.

Ovechkin, a five-time choice at left wing, had 32 goals in 48 games — including 23 in the final 23 — and earned his third Hart Trophy as MVP.

Despite playing only four of 48 games this season at left wing, Ovechkin earned enough votes at the position to qualify for second-team honors. Messier didn’t qualify at multiple positions in the same season.

Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, a second-time selection to the first team, is the only other player in this year’s class to have made it before.

Joining Ovechkin on the second team were right wing Martin St. Louis of Tampa Bay, Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews, defensemen Kris Letang of Pittsburgh and Francois Beauchemin of the Anaheim Ducks, and New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, last year’s Vezina winner.

Voting is done by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association at the end of the regular season.